Lasting machine



Nov. l1, 1952 E. w. sTAcEY ETAL 2,617,127

LASTING MACHINE Filed Dec. l, 1949 14 Sheets-Sheet 2 y In venia rs.

E'Pn eszZ WS-acey czm'e] m'er'fannabe Nov. 11, 1952 E. w. sTAcEY ETAL 2,617,127

LASTING MACHINE Filed Dec. l, 1949 14 Sheets-Sheet 3 f' nvenors E rneszL WS for ce y anz'el W//rerffannable By 772 ez'r/forney Nov. 11, 1952 E. w. s'rAcl-:Y ETAL LASTING MACHINE 14 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Deo. l, 1949 y ble LASTING MACHINE 14 Sheets-Sheet 5 E. W. STACEY ETAL Nov. 11, 1952 Filed Deo. 1, 1949 www@ Nov. 11, 1952 E. w. sTAcEY ETAL LASTING MACHINE 14 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. l, 1949 By Their/1f fof ney Nov. ll, 1952 E. W. STACEY ET AL LASTING MACHINE 14 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Deo. l, 1949 ffllli Nh. WN

llllvlllllll` e EL@ 0 a mm ,mgm Q@ V mdMQw Imwm WB D mmm xv@ Nn@ 95k www Nov. l1, 1952 E. w srAcEY ETAL LASTING MACHINE 14 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Dec. l, 1949 ,1M a n m M w. v/v n a D Nov. l1, 1952 E. w. sTAcl-:Y ETAL 2,617,127

LASTING MACHINE 14 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Dec. l. 1949 Nov. 11, 1952 E. w. sTAcEY ErAL LASTING MACHINE 14 Sheets-Sheet ll Filed Dec. l, 1949 www Nov. 11, 1952 E. w. STACEY ETAL 2,617,127

LASTING MACHINE Filed DeC. l, 1949 I 14 Sheets-Shes?l 12 [lll www

Nov. 1l, 1952 E. w. sTAcEY ETAL 2,617,127

LASTING MACHINE Filed DleC. i, 1949 14 Sheets-Sheet 15 (www Patented Nov. Il, 1.95.2

LASTING MACHINE Ernest W. Stacey, Beverly, and Daniel Walker Hannable, Beverly Farms, Mass., assignors to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Flemington, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application December 1, 1949, Serial No. 130,494

25 Claims.

This invention relates to lasting machines, and particularly to a novel and improved machine for completely lasting a shoe, at its toe and heel ends and along its opposite sides, in one automatic operating cycle. However, it will be understood that certain features of the invention are of broader utility and not limited to use in a machine of the exact type herein disclosed or to use in connection with the lasting of a shoe around its entire periphery.

In the lasting of certain types of shoes, or the lasting of the platform covers of so-called platform or slip-lasted shoes, where the lasting margin of the stock is to be secured, in lasted position, to the bottom of the shoe by means of an adhesive, the amount of heightwise pull required to tension the stock is not very great. In fact7 it has been found that a very satisfactory lasting job may be obtained by subjecting the stock sing lasted to a frictional upwipe, for producing the heightwise tension, provided, however, that the lasting margin cf the tensioned stock is immediately laid inwardly over, and firmly pressed against, the bottom of the shoe. Moreover, this principle of frictional tensioning, followed by overlaying and pressing, maybe c-arried out by means of elements which are particularly adaptable for lasting the toe and heel ends, as well as the opposite sides, of a shoe in one complete operating cycle.

.It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a novel and improved lasting machine embodying the aforementioned principles. With this object in View, the herein illustrated machine is provided, in addition to a support for a shoe on its last, with a plurality of different lasting units each including means for tensioning the stock. being lasted, at a selected portion of the shoe, and wiping means for laying the lasting margin of the tensioned stock inwardly over, and for pressing said lasting margin against, the bottom of the shoe. More particularly, and in accordance with features of this invention, there are two pairs of these lasting units, the units of one pair being arranged to operate, respectively, at the toe and heel ends of the shoe, while the units of the other pair are arranged to operate at the opposite sides of the shoe, and the arrangement is such that these different pairs of units operate in a predetermined sequence to effect lasting of diiferent portions of the shoe around its entire periphery. Conveniently, and in the herein illustrated machine, these lasting units are mounted on a table that is reciprocated relatively to the shoe support in time relation to movements of these units toward and away from positions in operative relation to a shoe carried by the support. It is to be understood, however, that in a broader aspect this invention is not limited to a machine for lasting a shoe around its entire periphery. Instead, without departing from the spirit of the invention, one or the other of the two pairs of lasting units may be omitted, or rendered inoperative, if it is desired for any reason to last either the toe and heel portions or the opposite sides of shoes in a diierent manner, as, for example, by the use of metallic fastenings. In a like manner, either the toe unit or the heel unit may be omitted, or rendered inoperative, should it be desired to last the toe or the heel portions of the shoes in another machine.

The tensioning means of each of the aforementioned lasting units comprises a member conformable to the contour of the last, at a selected portion of the shoe, and is operable, upon movement relative to the last, to tension the stock being lasted in a direction heightwise of the last, while' the wiping means of each unit is movable relatively to the tensioning member for laying the lastingmargin of the tensioned stock inwardly over, and for pressing the lasting margin against, the bottom of the shoe. More particularly, and in accordance with other features of the invention, the wiping means includes an inflatable member that is conformable with the marginal edge of the bottom of the shoe and, for the purpose of facilitating the overlaying and pressing actions of this member, the machine is provided with means for inflating the inflatable member at a relatively low pressure during its overlaying action and thereafter at a higher pressure for pressing the lasting margin of the tensioned stock against the bottom or the shoe. With this arrangement, the lasting margin of the tensioned stocK is laid inwardly over the bottom of the shoe by the action of the inatabie member while it is inflated at a relatively low pressure. Hence, this member conforms very readily to the marginal edge of the bottom of the shoe and all danger of deforming or displacing the shoe bottom member is avoided. However, after this overlaying action has been completed, the ini'iatable member is innated at a higher pressure so that the lasting margin of the stock is pressed very firmly against the bottom of the shoe. It will be apparent that this novel wiper construction is not limited to use with the particular kind of tensioning means with which the herein illustrated machine is provided, but, on the contrary, is of broader utility for use in lasting machines generally,

regardless of the nature of the tensioning means. The above and other objects ahdfeatures of the invention will appear in the following detailed description of the embodiment thereof which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the claims. V

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation iof a machine embodying the ,features of this invention;

Fig. 42is a'viewin sideielevationof-a portion of the right-hand side df the machine shown in Fig. 1, at an enlarged scale;

Fig. 3 is a View similar to that of Fig. 2 but at a smaller scale and with certain parts broken away and others shown in section;

Figs 4, 5 and 6 are views Lin front elevation of certain of the operatingelements of themachine with some parts omitted and-others shown in vertical section, illustrating idilerent positions assumed by these elements Aduring an operating cycle of the machine;

Fig. 7 is a view in vertical section the operating elements `iof the machine;

rege is a'viewsimuarfto that of Fig. 'v showing the positions-of theparts at another point inthe operating cycle;

Figs. 9a`nd 10 are planyewsof a portion of the'operating elementshown'in Figs. 7 and8, showing the positions fk'e'rtain parts thereof at different points in'the'operating cycle;

Fig. ll isa 'viewin verticali'section, taken at right Yangles' to Fig. land :Vst'ala'rger`sc'ale,"showing other` operating "elements ofthe machine;

Fig. 12 is a plan vi'e'ws'hovving 'the operating elements of the `macl`iine;

Fig. l3`is a planviewsimilar'to that of Fig. 12, butV with parts' broken away' and in'section, showing, in addition, certajinrhechanisms for operating the' elements of thefmachine;

Fig. 14 is a'planview at an enlarged scale of two'of the operating elnentsof themachne in the positions assum'ecl during an intermediate point in the operatin'g"`cycle;

Figs. V15`and 16`ar`e'pla'n`and sectional views, respectively, of 'a portion'f one of the operating elements'shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. l'is a diagrammatic'view of the operating elements of the"rri'achine 'andthe fluid-pressure-control system therefor;

Fig. 17a isa view in section of' a'uid-pressure control valve;"and

Figs. 1'8 and 19 Yare plan 'and 'side'elevation views, respectively, of apart of the" mechanical drive and control mechanisms'formingpartsof the machine.

Referring'to these drawings, thelasting'ma'- chine therein illustrated has four operating elements, or units, one`for'lasting the heel end of a shoe, designated "generally by the reference character A, ast-cond unit YB for lasting the toe end of the shoe; and two other' similar 'units'C and DY for lastingthe opposite"sides 'of the' shoe, seeFigs.`12, 13{:}1.'ndy 17. Tiiese units are mounted on a table TQwhich, 'atcerta'in points inthe operating ycyclefis reciprocated in a vertical`diof one 'of lrection 'relatively toa frameF. The'g'eneral location and arrangement'of theseoperating units on the table and the manner in which the table is supporte'don the framewill be 'apparent from an -inspectionofFi'gsfl lto"6,`12 andl'l' of the drawings. Each 'of the' four operating units comprises a flexible member, conformable to the contour of a lastat a'selected portion of the shoe, rfor tensioning the stock vbeing lasted, as a result of heightwise'movement relative to the last, and a member'rnovable ina direction to wipe the lasting marginof the tensioned stock inwardly over the shoe bottom and operable, thereaften'to presslthe'overwiped lasting margin against the bottom of the shoe. Conveniently, these units are arranged to operatin pairs and, in the herein illustrated machine, the Yarrangement is such that'the toe andheelends of the shoe are lasted rst by units A and after which the Ysidesiof the `fshoe are lasted by 'secured vthree smaller plates 22, 2li and 26, see

Figs. 1, 3-6 and 11. Formed integrally with the plates 22 and 26, respectively,` are apair of downwardly extending plungers 28 and 30, while'the plate 24 is provided vvsfitlre, boss 32 on its lower j'side, Fig. 3. A cross'rod 34 is connected tothe lower ends of the plungers 28 and V 3f) and carries a pair of downwardly extending plates 36 and 38, Fig. 3. The frame F isffabricated from a plurality of sheet'rnetal members, welded together, including vertical -posts 66, cross members l2 and M, Figs. lfantiS-G. The cross members M are formed bsoa's'to provide guideways for slidably supportingthe plungers '28 and 36, and groups of tension'springs H6, '46 are stretched between the plates' 36an`d-38 and one of the upper cross members M..V rhe cross rod 34 carries a roll 18 that is held Aagainst a cam 50 by the springs 46, Fig. 3. As will'be apparent, when the cam 55 is rotated, the ftable will be reciprocate'd in a vertical direetion'in maccordance with the shape of this cam.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 19, cam 50 `is provided with a lift portion 52, a drop 54, lift 56, drop'58 and lift 56, and is mounted on a shaft 62. This shaft is journaled in a bearing block 64 and carries a bevel'gear` 66, Fig. 3. Formed integrally Vwith 'the "cam '5'0-is 'a Aspur gear 66 which meshes with a pinion '18. This pinion is driven through a reduction gearingiZ, having an input pulley 14 and a clutch 16, Fig. 1. The pulley 'Hi is connected to a motor 18 by means of a belt 86, the motor being mounted on a support 82 which is hinged to the frame F, Figs. 1 and 3. The clutch 'is operated by means of a yoke 86, Fig. 3, anda plunger 86 which is associated with the upper end of the frame F, see Figs. 2 and 4. Y

The yoke'v 84 is 'at all times urged in al direction to engage the clutch 16 by means of a spring- 88, diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 4. However, whenthe table is in its lowermost position the yoke is held in a position to disengage the clutch by means of a bell-crank lever 96 having a camshaped arm 92. The other arm"93 of this lever has an oiset end 94 which'is engaged by the extension $6 formed on a lever 98 which is pivoted on the table. A coil spring 95 holds the body portion of the lever 68 against the end of the plunger 86, outward movement of which is limited by means of a pin 91. VWhen the plunger 86 is pushed inwardly, i. e., to the left as viewed in Fig. 4, the extension 96 willp'ass beyond'the offset portion'gll thus permitting'the lever 96 to' rotate in a counterclockwise direction. The spring 8B will no'w move the yoke 84 in a direction to engage the clutch 86 and thus start rotation of the cam 5). As a result of this rotation of the cam 56, the table will be reciprocated in the following manner. First, the table will be elevated to its highest position, see Figs. 5 andk 6, as the rolliS follows down the rise 52 to the drop '54 on the cani 50. Next, the table will be lowered, part way, as the roll rides up onto the rise 56. Then the table will be elevated, a second time, by the drop 58 and then lowered part way again as the roll 48 rides up the rise 60. Finally, the table will be brought down to its lowest position, Figs. 1 and 4, as the roll 48 rides up the rise 52, at which point the cam 50 comes to a stop in the following manner. When the table was first elevated, and after the plunger 36 was released, the spring 95 returned the levers 90 and 98 to the positions shown in Fig. 4. Hence, on the final descent of the table to its lowermost position, the yoke 84 will be returned to a position so as to disengage the clutch, by reason of the engagement therewith of the cam-shaped arm 92, thus bringing the cam 50 to a stop.

During the aforementioned vertical reciprocating movements of the table T, the units A, B, C and D are operated to eiect the lasting. of the shoe in a manner which will be explained below. In order to perform their lasting functions, these operating units must be moved toward and away from operative positions relative to the shoe. Before describing the mechanisms by means of which these movements of the units are effected, the manner in which the shoe being lasted is supported will be explained. As has been suggested above, the herein illustrated machine is particularly adapted for lasting the platform cover of a slip-lasted shoe comprising an upper U, sock lining S, cover, or wrapper, W, and a platform P, having a heel part H, assembled on a last or form L. Secured to, and rising above the table T, are a pair of arms |00, |02 connected at their upper ends by means of a rod |04, Figs. 4, 5 and 6. Mounted on, and depending from, this rod is a shoe-supporting bracket |06 which is provided on one side with a groove |08. The last, or form, L has an upstanding portion ||0 from which there projects a post |2 of a size to fit snugly in the groove |08 and of a thickness slightly greater than the depth of this groove. The post 2 is firmly clamped against the bottom of the groove |08, to secure the last or form onto the bracket |06, by means of a clamping bar |4 and a pair of wing bolts I6. It should be pointed out that the last or form L shown in the drawings is of a novel construction, disclosed and claimed in application -Serial No. 102,524, led July 1, 1949, in the name of E'. W. Stacey. However, it will be understood, if it is desired to\ adapt the herein illustrated machine for handling shoes assembled on conventional lasts, that the bracket |06 may readily be modified to accommodate and support conventional lasts.

Turning now to the mechanisms for moving the units A, B, C and D toward and away from a shoe supported on the bracket |06 in time relation to the vertical reciprocations of the table F, these movements are produced by means of a cam |20, Figs. 3, 7, 11 and 13. This cam is mounted on a shaft |22 which passes through the boss 32 on the plate 24 and is slidably but non-rotatably connected to a second shaft |24, Figs. 3 and '1. The shaft |24 is journaled in the bearing block 64 and carries a bevel gear |26 that meshesvwith the bevel gear 66, Fig. 3. The ratio of these two gears is 1:1 so that the cam |20 is rotated once for every revolution of the tableeperating cam 50. The heel unit A and toe unit B are operated at the beginning of the operating cycle of the Amachine and the movements of these two units will be described rst. The heel unit comprises means of a clamp bolt |32, to a pair of blocks |34, |36 that are slidably mounted on the table plate 20 along a path defined by a slot |38, Figs. 1 and 4 8. Similarly, the toe unit B comprises a bracket |40, adjustably secured, by means of a clamp bolt |42, to blocks |44, |45 that are slidably mounted on the plate 20 along a path defined by a slot |48. The clamp bolts |32 and |42 extend 'below the plate 20 where they are connected,

respectively, by links |49, |5| to the slotted ends of levers |50, |52, pivotally mounted on the lower side of the plate 20, as is shown more clearly in Fig. 13. Also pivotally mounted on the lower side of the table plate 20 is a third lever |54 connected at its opposite ends by links |56, |58 to the levers |50, |52, respectively, and carrying a cam roll |50. The cam |20, which rotates in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 13, has a rise |2| of about 90 arcuate extent and a dwell |23 of about 270 extent. As will be apparent, when the rise |2| engages the roll |60, the toe and heel units will be moved toward and into engagement with the toe and heel ends of a shoe supported on the bracket |06, as illustrated in Fig. 6. Springs |62, |64 and |66 are provided for holding the roll |60 Aagainst the cam |20 and for effecting withdrawal of the toe and heel units when the dwell |23 comes into engagement with the roll |60.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 11, the' side unit C comprises a bracket |10 which is adjustably secured, by means of a clamp bolt |12, to a pair of blocks |14, |16 that are slidably mounted on the table plate 20 along a path defined by a slot |18. In a like manner, the side unit D comprises a bracket adjustably secured, by means of a clamp bolt |82, to a pair of blocks |84 and |86 that are slidably mounted on the plate 20 along a path defined by a slot |88. Extending downwardly from the blocks |16 and |86, respectively, are pins |19 and |89. Also pivotally mounted on the underside of the plate 20 are a pair of levers |90, |92 which are connected, respectively, t0 the pins |19 and |89 and to a pair of bell-Crank levers |94, |96, see Fig. 13. These two bell-crank levers are connected together by a link |93 and to the levers |90, |92 by means of links |95 and |91. The link |93 carries a pin |99 that is engaged by one end of a lever 20|, also pivoted on the lower surface of the plate 20 and carrying at its opposite end a cam roll 203. When the rise |2| on the cam |20 engages this roll, the two side units will be moved toward and held in engagement with a shoe Supported on the bracket |06 as is illustrated in Fig. 11. A spring 202 is connected to the link |93 for holding the roll 203 against the cam |20 and for withdrawing the side units when the dwell |23 comes into engagement with the roll 203.

Turning now to a detail description of the four operating units A, B, C and D, the heel unit A will first be described with particular reference to Figs. 410, 12 and 13. Referring at the beginning to Figs. 7, 8 and 12, associated with the bracket member |30 is a sheet metal housing construction 300 having upper and lower walls 302, 304 and side walls 303. Received in the space between these walls are three sheet metal cups 305, 308 and 3|0 .(Fig, 12). In these cups are sponge rubber ller blocks 3| which are connected on their outer faces by means of a exible rubber band 3|2 having a tread surface, or operating face 3|4, Figs. 4 and 5. Connected to the cup 308 is a plunger 3|6 which extends out through the bracket |30. Carried by this plunger is a-wedge-shaped abutment 3|8 which engages .the rounded 'ends of apair :.of .'equa'lizinglevers 626,5322. These; leversarepivoted onthe. housing 366 andpassthrough 'openings .thereunto v.engage the-'cups 366 and-f31'6. `5A'.coilspringf.324..normally .holdsl the parts .in thepositions shown in Fig...l2, g .with Vthe abutment. block 3= LSengagingithe bracket .1166. Under these conditions the rubberband -312 lassumes a shape substantiallyasshown in Fig. .12 and ywith :a curve .of a radius somewhat `greater than that of .the :heel end of afshoe. Hence, when the unitnmoved to :bring the band 1.2 into engagementwiththe.heel end-.ora

shoe, thespring 324 .will .yield .thereby causing cups 366 and 316 inwardly so :that-.the .band 312 .i .will conform to and snuglyembracetne; heel end of the shoe. Subsequently intheoperating cycle,

when .the table 26 lis .moved downwardly, .the stock being lasted .will Vbe wiped in `a direction heightwise oi the shoe and tensioned by frictional -action of thetread face v:31.4 .of thellexiblezband 312 on the stock.

Beneath 'the housing i366, `thelbraclret `136 iis formed with a forwardly .extending plate 336 Vhaving vertical ilanges.`332, 334. Slidable on the plate 631i are a pair of arouateblocks 336, S38

which areV hinged together and to a plunger341l by means of a pin -342 which rides in a .slot 344 formed in the plate 331iv (Figs. 7,.8,9 and 1.0) At ytheir ends ytheblocks 336.*338 areprovided with pins 346, 346, respectively, which ride in cam slots 356, 352 out in theplate 336. When the plunger 346 is moved to theleitfas viewed inFigs. 9 and i0, the blocks 336 .and 1338 will-beswung toward each other by .theaction of the slots 356, 352 on the pins 346, 348and to theiext-ent determined by a stop pin 341, carried by the'plunger 346, and a slot 349 in the blockf336. Secured to .the blocks 336, 336 is a wiper member comprising an elongated inflatable rubber bag. Formoving the plunger-346 to operatethe wiper.366,.the

plunger 346 is extended fthrough .the endtting i362 of acylinder 364, carried. by the-bracket-ISU, =and is provided with a piston366. AAcoil spring l366, interposed Jbetween the piston'366. andthe S .en'd fitting-362, normally holds theizpartsin the `positions shown in Fig. l0. Flexible air pipes a and b are vconnected to the cylinder"364 onthe .opposite sides of thenpiston 366 and a nexible air pipe c is connected to the inflatable-wiper.

AAswill be explained Yin more detail '.below, Ythe wiper.366 is normally inated'atea relatively low air pressure of approximately six .lbsxpersquare inch. After the wiper has heenoperated v*by the piston 366 to wipe the .lasting margin ofthe f= tensioned stock inwardlyiover the heelend of the shoe, the air pressure is vconsiderably increased for the purpose of pressing the'lasting margin against the bottom of the shoe.

Referring to Figs. v4.--6, 12 `and`l3, the toe-unit B is constructed in exactly the same'lmanner-as the heel unit A. Thus a sheet metal housing466,

.having upper and lower Walls462, 464 and aside vwall 463, is associated with the bracket |46; Figs.

4-6. AReceived inthespacebetween' these walls are three sheet metal cups 466, 468 and 416 each containing a sponge rubberzller blockf4| 1,y Fig. 12. These blocks are connected. on their outer .faces by means of .a yflexible-rubber band 412 having a tread face, .or -operatinggsurface,= 41:4,

. Figs. 4 6. Connected to .themiddle cup 468 is a plunger 416 that extends out through the bracket 146 and is provided with a vwedge-shaped abutment 418. Bearing against this'abutment are the rounded ends of apair ofequalizing1evers;.426,

fil() shoe. downwardly, the stock being lasted will be wiped Yina direction heightwise of the shoe and teni422 that. are -pivoted on fthe housing .466. :A vcoil .fspringj424 normally .Aholds the parts Ain the posi- 4tions shown in -Fig. l2, theabutment .418 engaging the bracket 1 46. lUnder 4these conditions, the

flexible band V412 `will assume 1a shape substantiallyzas shown in'Fig. 12 andwith a curve of Va .radius `somewhat greater than that ofthe toe end of Va shoe. However, when the unit B isy moved so as tofbring the band-412 into engagement with the toe end of the shoe, the spring424 will yield,

:thereby causing arms 426, 422 to press the end .blocks `411 inwardly so that the band 412 will conform to and snuglyembrace-the toe end of the Thereafter, when the table 2,6 -is moved sioned by the irictional action or" the tread face 4x14 of the band T412 :on the stock.

Under the housing '466 .the bracket I46'has a 4:forwardly extending plate :436..provded with ver- .tical `anges 432.1434. Fig. 13. plate $436 area pairo arcuate blocks 436, 438

Slidable .on vthe lthat are hinged vtogether and'to a plunger 446 by .means of a pin 442zthelower endof which rides ina slot 444 formedin theiplate 436, Figs. 4-6

.and;l3. v.At their .other ends, the blocks 436, .438

are provided, respectively, with pins 446, 448 that ride :incam slots 456, 452, cutin the plate 436. When the plunger 1446 is movedto the right, Figs.

3445,13, the blocks 436, 433 willbe swung toward eachother by the action of theslots 456, 452 on thepins 446, 446 and .to the .extent determined by a stop pin 441, carried by .the v'plunger'liliL and Aa-slot .446 formed inthe block 436. Secured to the b1ocks=436,.38 isa wiper member comprising an elongated, inflatable rubber bag :466, Figs. 4 6.

.For ,moving the plunger 440 .to operate the wiper 466, this.. plunger is .extended-through the end ntting 462 of `a cylinder 464 carried by the .bracket 146, and is provided .with a piston 466,

Fig. 4. A coil spring 468, interposed between the after-the wiper 466 has been .operated by the :piston n466 t0 wipe the lasting margin of the `tensionedstocl: inwardly over .the toe end oa shoe, .the .airpressure is increased so as `to cause Vthe .wiper 4611 to pressthe lasting margin against the bottom of the shoe.

'Theside .units C and D, whichare associated yrespectively lwith the brackets 1'10 and 186, are lof identical construction.

Accordingly, and to avoid repetition, the following detailed descrip- .tionxwill be directedparticularly to unit D, Figs. l, 2, 3, ll, 12,13 .and 14. However, the corresponding elements Yof the other yunit C will be identied'withlthe same reference characters, in creased by one hundred, so that'the description -will applyequally well to the .other unit. Re-

ferring to Fig. 1l, mounted on the bracket 186 (176) vthere is a. sheet metal housing 566 (666) vhaving top .and bottom walls 562, 564 (662, 664) .and side wallsp563 663) Received within the space between these walls are four sheet metal cups 566, 568, 510and 512 (666, 668, 616, 612) having hollow backportions, as shown more particularly in Fig. 14. Fitted in each of these cups ,-.is a sponge rubberjller block 5| 1 (611)..andthese four filler blocks are connected, on their outer faces, by means of a flexible rubber band I3 (6I3) having a tread face, or operating surface 5I4 (6I4). This flexible band is loosely connected to the housing 500 (600) by means of leather straps 5|5, 5I5 (6I5, 6I5).

Bearing against the end cups 506 (606) and 5I2 (6I2) are the rounded ends of a pair of equalizing levers 520, 522 (620, 622) pivoted on the housing 500 (600). Secured to the inner two blocks 508, 5|0 (608, 6I0) are plungers 524, 526 (624, 626) carrying caps 528, 530 (628, 630) slidable thereon. Coil springs 532, 534 (632, 634) surrounding the rods 524, 526 (624, 626) normally hold these rods in the positions shown in Fig. 12 and as determined by stop collars 536, 538 (636, 638). Resting against the caps 528, 530 (628, 630) and also on collars 540, 542 (646, 642) are another set of coil springs 544, 546 (644, 646) which tend to hold the caps against two other collars 548, 550 (648, 650), also secured to the rods 524, 526 (624, 626). The levers 520, 522 (620, 622) are connected to the caps 528, 530 (628, 630) by means of links 521, 529 (621, 629). With this arrangement, the flexible band 5I3, and also the exible band 6|3, normally assume the shapes shown in Fig. 12 which approximate the contours of the last at the sides of the a shoe. However, when the units C and D are moved toward each other and so as to bring the flexible bands 5I3 and 6I3 into engagement with the sides of a shoe supported on the bracket |06, the springs 532, 534, 544, 546 and 632, 634, 644 and 646, will yield so as to permit the bands 5I3 and 6|3 to conform exactly to the contour of the opposite sides of the shoe as illustrated in Fig. 14. Thereafter, when the table is moved downwardly, these exible bands will wipe the lasting margin of the stock being lasted in a direction heightwise of the shoe and in this manner will tension the stock. The tread surfaces 5| 4 and 6I4, formed on these flexible bands, increase the friction set up between these bands and the stock being lasted, thereby augmenting the tensioning action.

Beneath the housing 500 (600) there is a plate 552 (652) and on this plate a wiper block 553 (653) is slidably supported, Fig. 1l. This wiper block is further supported by means of a pair of rods 554, 555 (655, 655) which pass through bearing bores 556, 551 (656, 651) formed in the bracket |86 (|10), Fig. 15. Compression springs 559, 555, (650, 659) normally hold the wiper block in the position shown in Figs. 1l, 15 and 16. The operating portion of the wiper comprises an inflatable rubber member 560 (660) that is secured to the block 553 (653) by means of plates 56| (66|) and screws 562 (662), in the manner illustrated in Figs. 15 and 16. For operating the wiper 560 (660) a pair of air cylinders 564, 564 (664, 664) are provided. Pistons 565, 565 (665, 665) arranged in these cylinders, have piston rods 566, 566, (665, 666) which extend through bearing bosses 561, 561 (661, 661) formed on the bracket |80 (|10) and engage -the block 553 (653) Fig. 15. An air pipe lc, a portion of which is flexible, is connected to the ends of the cylinders 564, 564, behind the pistons 565, 565 and a pipe Z, also having a exible portion, is connected to a port 510 in the block 553 which leads into theV space behind the inflatable wiper member 560. The pipe l passes through a clearance hole 512 in the bracket member |80 so as to partake of the movements of the wiper block 553. In a like manner, a pipe g is connected to the cylinders 12.0* 664, 664, behindv the pistons 665,665 and a pipe h is connected to the space behind the inflatable wiper member 660 of the other unit C'.

The inflatable wipers 560 and 660 are normally subjected to a relatively low air pressure, approximately six lbs. per square inch. However, after these wipers have been operated to wipe the lasting margin of the tensioned stock, along the opposite sides of the shoe, in over the bottom oi the shoe, by means of the pistons 565 and 665, these wipers are inated to a much higher pressure for pressing the lasting margin of the stock against the shoe bottom.

For supporting the bottom of a shoe being lasted and for preventing displacement or distortion of its sole member, for example, an innersole of the platform sole of a slip-lasted shoe, during the lasting operation, the machine is provided with a sole-engaging presser member 100. This member is formed. of sheet metal and, as shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and '1, is shaped to correspond to the longitudinal curvature of the sole member. A block'102 is mounted on the table 20, midway between the operating units A, B,

, C and D, see Figs. 12 and 13, and this block is formed with a chamber 104 that merges intoa plurality of cylinders 106 in which are located a plurality of pistons 108. The piston rods 106 of these pistons extend up through the block 102 where they are connected to downwardly extending bosses 1|0 on the presser member 100, Fig. 7.

A flexible air pipe m is connected to the chamber 104 and hence to the cylinders 166.

The wipers 360, 460, 566 and 660 of the several operating units are operated to wipe the lasting margin of the stock being lasted and, thereafter, to press the lasting margin of the stock against the bottom'of the shoe in denite time relation to the movements of the units A, B, C and D, toward and into operative position relative to the shoe being lasted, and to the vertical movements of the table T. The arrangement for supplying compressed air to the several wiperoperating cylinders and the mechanisms for controlling the ow of air to inflate the wipers will now be described with particular reference to Fig. 1, 2, 1'7, 18 and 19. To avoid confusion with mechanical structure, the various air pipes have been identified with small letters and this procedure will be continued in the following description.

Referring to Fig. 17, which is a diagrammatic drawing showing the air pressure system and the operating units, a pipe z is connected to a suitable source of compressed air, not shown, at a pressure of approximately sixty lbs. per square inch. Connected directly to this supply pipe is a flexible pipe y that leads to a'pair of solenoidoperated valves 860 and 900. The pipe e, beyond the connection with pipe y, is connected to a reducing valve 662, set at approximately twentyeight lbs. per square inch, as indicated by a gage 004 and from this reducing valve the pipe m leads to the chamber 104 in the block 102. A pipes: leads from the reducing valve 802 to a secondA reducing valve 806, set for a pressure of approximately twentylbs. per square inch, as indicated by a gage 808 which is located at the end of a pipe Leading from the pipe w are a pair of pipes u and u that are connected respectively to three-way valves 8I0 and 8I2.

The constructions of these valves 8I0 and 8I2 are identical as is -diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 17a. Referring to this ligure, in the housing SID (or BIZ) isa rotatable plug 8|4 (or 9|4) having a cross passage. 8118i (or` Sil-'89?- The pipes Z, h. arev connected tu theivalve 851 I); while` the.`

pipes c, f are connected tothev valve18I2.. A low.- pressure relief valve@ 320,. set. at'. approximately six' lbs. per square inchVis connectedA to the valve 810v and a similar relief valve 920 is connectedv to the valve SI2. When thei valve'A plug. 8113i isV in the position. shown. in. Figi. l7a,.the. pressure of the air admitted to the-pipes `Z,.h.is maintained at six lbs. per square inch bythe relief valve 820'. However, if' the. plug 8M. is rotated ninety de -greesg the full pressure. in' pipe 11,'. twenty lbs. per square inch, will be admitted' to. the pipes Z, h. Similarly, by'rotating.plugr 914 ofthe valve SI2, either the low-pre'sure'air at six lbs'. per square in'ch,.or the` high-pressure air at twenty'lbs. per square inch, may be admitted to the pipes-c, f.

The. valve plugsfild" andi 9M are operated, respectively.' by'means of. camv segments B22 and 922 which are adjustably se'curedtoani arcuate plate 823cm` theiside of the cam 50; Figs. 18and 19. Secured toV the' valve plug' 8M is a handle 824 which isconnecte'd, by a link 825, to one arm of a bell-crank'lever' 828i This lever is pivotally mounted ona plate 830; supported on one ofthe cross members M', and. carriesv on its other arm acam rolli 832;Y A coil spring 834, connected'to the handle824`, holds this handle inthe position shown in Fig. 19 and' against a stop 836. Similarly, a'v handle 924 is connected, by a link 32V, to one arm of' av belli-crank lever 928 which is likewise pivotally mounted onY the plate B30 and provided witht acam roll. 932. A. spring 934 (Fig. 2) holds the handle 924 in the position shown. The roll' 8.32 is inline with the camisegment 822', while the roll. 932`is inline with: the cam segmentv 922.

Located above the` rolls 832 and 932 respectively, are=microswitches 940 and 840. The microswitch- 840 is connected' by leads B42, 844 to a main switch' 850` and to a solenoid 860 that is arranged to operate the valve, 800, while the mi.- croswitch .iIlDisu connected by leads. 942, 944 to the main switch: 850 andf to a. solenoid 960for operatingthe valve 900;.Fi'g. 17. Thevalve 800 is of the reversing typeA and hasa plunger8'i0 which, in the position shown iny Fig. 17, admits4 compressed air from the pipe y, to the pipes b, e while connecting pipes a, d to exhaust. The plunger 810' is connected tor the armature B12 of solenoid 860 by means of a bell-crank lever 814 and a spring 816 is? connected to this lever. When the solenoid 860 is energized, bythe closing of the` switch 840; the plunger 810 will be moved to the left so as toconnect the pipes a,.b to thepipe y`4 and pipesb,` e to exhaust. The valve 900 is of the; off-on type and has a plunger 970- which; when in the position shown in Fig. 17, connects the pipes g,` Ic to' exhaust. The plunger 910 is connected. to the armature 012 by` meansf of a bell-crank lever. 914 and a spring' 916 is connected to'this leven. When the solenoid 960 is' energized, by-thev closing of the microswitch. 940;.the' plungerl 910 will be moved tot-he left, Fig..17so-as'to connect the pipes g,.lc toair pressure, from pipe y. The. switch 850 is connected to asuitable source ofA electrical energy and also to'themotor 18..

Acomplete operating cycleof the machine will now-be described. When the machine is inA use, the main switch S50-is closed andthe motor 'I8 running. Also, compressedV air: from. the source is supplied to thepipes a and-m; After a shoe has been' secured to the bracket I 06the operator pushes the plunger 86` thus. tripping the clutch T4y fora sing-ierrevolution of the caml 59; cam segmentsf822 and: 922.v carried thereby, and also of cam; |20.. When the operatingcycle has beeni completed, the: clutch. 'Ill is. released and shaft 62, whichI drives the` aforementioned cams, brought to a stop inthe manner described above. At. the beginning of this cycle, the parts are in the positions shown in Fig. 4, with the units A, B, C, Dwithdrawn, seeFigs. 12and 13, table T in its lowermost positionf and the presser member 160 elevated as shownin Figs; 3 and`4.

When the cycle: starts, the; table is elevated to the position. shown in: Fig; 5-by the action of springs 36,116`Y as the roll 48 travels'down the rise 52" on cam 50lig: 19.: As the table is thus elevated, the pressure member engages the-bottom of the shoe. and thefpistonsi'l' are forced downwardly against the pressure of the air beneath them, which tends to; holdthe presser member firmly againstthe'bottom of the shoe. Next, the heel aindtoe` units A. and B are moved toward and into engagement with the heel and toe ends ofthe shoe, as shownzinFig; 65, as the rise I 2| on cam |20 engages'thefrolli |00, Fig. 13. With the units A. and B in. these positionsv and with the flexible bands'3'l2, 4I 2 snuglyfembracing theheel and toe ends off the shoe,. the table. now moves downwardly, a shortY distance, as the roll 08 'travels-.uptheirise' 56fon thecam 50. During this downward: movement of the table, the stock being lasted. herein illustrated as' the wrapper W of. a platform shoe; is tensioned in a direction heightwise of the last bythe: frictional drag that is imposed on; it'by thetread surfaces 3I4, M4 0fv the ilexible" rubber' bands 312, M2', associated with the units A and B.

While the table remains in this partially lowered position', the heel and toe; wipers 360, 460 are operated to' wipe the lasting margin of the tensioned wrapper; W in over the toe and heel ends ofthe shoe this action occurring when the switch 840 is closed:y byfthe'cam segment 922 thus connecting theh pipes a' and d to` air pressure from the pipe y and connecting pipes b and e to exhaust so that pistons 366 and 466 are actuated, see Figs. 7 and 8, for the'actio'n of the heel wiper 360 and toe wiper' 460. During this action, the wipers 360, 460' are` ina'ted at a relatively low pressure of? six lbs; per square inch, as determined bythe relief valve 020, and, therefore, readily conform to the marginal edge of the bottom of the shoe;. However, immediately thereafter; the cam.. segment 922 engages the roll 932, thus rotating the valve plug 9H so as to inilate the wipers 360, M` with air at twenty lbs. per square' inch. Whenv thus inflated, the wipers 360, 460 pressy the overwiped lasting margin ofthe wrapper W firmly against the platform P and heell part H'. It willY be understood that the wrapper and/ or' the platformv and heel part will have previously been coated with a suitable adhesive so thatthe' lasting margin' of the wrapper is securely bonded to the' platform and to the heel end bythe pressure applied. by the wipers 3550', 460. As cam. segment 822 passes by the switch 840' and the roll 932, the wipers 360, 460 are deflatedT to theY low pressure of six lbs. per square inch' and withdrawn almost simultaneously, when valve plugY 9M is' returned to its original positionY so as to connect pipes a and d to exhaust' and pipes'b andie to air pressure from pipe y. The first half of the cycle is completed when the toeand heel units` are retracted as the roll rides down onto the dwell I23 of cam |20,

Fig. 13. 

